She was not foolish enough to think that Geoffrey would quickly forgive her, but in time perhaps he would soften in his attitude. Until then she would try to give him what he most wished, and pray each and every day that he would see the errors of his ways. Perhaps she could help him with his realizations. Too much discipline and too much concern for duty… surely he would tire of it.
Why do I bother? she asked herself. He is a most stubborn man. The answer was quick and honest. Whether she called him stubborn or unlovable, her heart belonged to him. Until death do us part, she thought, repeating the vow she had made to her husband. The question was, who would kill whom first?
Her thoughts returned to the present when the gates of Montwright opened wide for the troops. Elizabeth spotted Elslow standing with his hands on his hips, Thomas at his side. The look on her grandfather's face showed relief and expected anger. She should have left word for him, some sign of her intent, she thought, so that he would not have worried so. Of course, she argued with herself, had she left word, Elslow would have followed her.
Geoffrey slid off the stallion and lifted Elizabeth to the ground. 'You have caused your grandfather needless concern. Go and make your apology,' he said in a controlled voice.
Elizabeth nodded and turned to walk toward her grandfather. When she was a scant foot from him, she lifted her head and said, 'I apologize for the worry I have caused you, Grandfather, and beg your forgiveness.' She lowered her gaze then and waited for his response.
Elslow was so relieved when he sighted his granddaughter safe and sound in her husband's arms. But like a parent who has lost his child at the village fair and then found him again, the urge to both hug and smack tugged at him. 'You have taken to bathing in the mud?' he asked instead, gaining time to calm his emotions.
Elizabeth quickly brushed the dirt from her bliaut before returning her gaze to her grandfather. Elslow was quick to see the sadness there, and he suddenly realized she hadn't returned safe after all. There was injury there, hidden inside, where it could do the most damage. And he would soon know who was the cause of such pain.
'Come and give this old man your embrace,' Elslow requested in a soft, coaching voice. 'There is time for explanations later.' He decided against questioning her at the present.
Elizabeth lifted her skirt and ran into his arms. 'Can you forgive me, Grandfather?' she asked, squeezing him to her.
'Of course I forgive you,' Elslow replied, patting the top of her head. 'Go inside now and find clean clothing. Then you must see to your stubborn dogs. They have not touched food or water since you disappeared. Did I not know better, I would guess they were as worried about you as I was.'
Elizabeth sighed and started toward the castle. Thomas grabbed hold of her hand and Elizabeth stopped to smile down at her little brother. It was all the encouragement he needed and he immediately launched into a gleeful interpretation of his grandfather's reaction to her disappearance. Elizabeth ignored him until he asked her if Geoffrey had beaten her. 'He did not! Why would you think such a thing?' she asked, pulling him along with her.
'Grandfather said he should,' the boy explained, clearly disappointed.
Elslow folded his arms across his chest and watched his granddaughter disappear behind the doors. He turned his anger loose and confronted Geoffrey, who had come up to stand beside him.
'What have you done to her?'
'
'Tell me what has happened,' Elslow demanded. 'There is defeat in my granddaughter's eyes. I saw it and am concerned. Elizabeth is not one to give up easily. What has caused her this pain?'
'She causes her own pain,' Geoffrey snapped, irritated by the interrogation. 'She rushes off to see Rupert, having no idea of the danger-'
'She did not! Why, she would have-' Elslow interrupted.
Geoffrey began to walk toward the castle. 'I know. I know. She had no idea he was behind the murders, and then she jumped into a lake to save my vassal and had the gall to admit after the deed that she cannot swim. Now tell me, Elslow, would you fault me for beating her?'
Elslow, pacing himself beside the warrior, answered with a swift denial. 'I would not. Why, I think I would even help you.'
Both men exchanged a look that admitted the truth, and they began to laugh. 'Neither of us could lift a hand to harm her,' Elslow said.
'You must know this also,' Geoffrey said, growing serious. 'I was most difficult with her, even accused her of disloyalty, and I plan to keep after her with my harsh manner until she learns a little restraint. Restraint and discipline. It is the only way I can think of to keep her alive, Elslow. I have no wish to train another wife,' he ended.
'And did she do it?' Elslow suddenly asked.
'Do what?'
'Save the vassal.'
'Aye, she did it.'
'I did not doubt it for a second,' Elslow said with a gleam in his eyes.
'You have missed the point, old man,' Geoffrey snapped with irritation.
'Without restraint and discipline?'
'What say you?' Geoffrey asked suspiciously.
'She saved the vassal without restraint or discipline?'
'Elslow, do not bait me! I am thinking of your granddaughter's safety. She must learn caution.'
'You must do what you think best,' Elslow stated.
'Aye. Though I promise to use a gentle hand in guiding her,' Geoffrey stated very matter-of factly. 'It is not so easy to break a habit of long standing without running the risk of breaking the spirit as well. She has been given free rein and allowed to run wild. All that must change.'
'Are we discussing my granddaughter or one of your horses?' Elslow inquired with an ironic tone.
'I will do as I think best,' Geoffrey stated, ignoring his barb. 'I do not wish to lose her.'
It was as much as he would admit. Elslow was astute enough to realize that. He nodded and swiftly changed the subject, asking for the details concerning the battle with Rupert.
Geoffrey was much more responsive to that subject and told in great detail the strategy and the outcome.
'Now that Rupert is dead, how will you prove Belwain's involvement?' Elslow asked.
'I have not considered all the possibilities. Do not concern yourself on that topic. I will find a way to deal with him. My first priority is to get Elizabeth settled in her new home.'
'When do you leave?' Elslow inquired.
'I had thought tomorrow, but have decided that Elizabeth will need to rest first. And I must go to Owen and give him an accounting. It would not be right to send a messenger. Ten, maybe twelve days hence and we will leave.'
'You still wish to leave me in charge?' Elslow asked.
'I do. The boy would do better with you for his council. We will send for him soon enough. Now come and share a drink with me. We will toast to victory.'
'I will join you and propose my own toast, Geoffrey. To your future. May it be all you wish.'
Chapter Twelve
Geoffrey wasted little time before he was on his way to give Owen a personal accounting. It was an accounting to an equal and Geoffrey treated others of his worth as he would have them treat him. Sending a messenger with the news of the outcome of the battle with Rupert would not have been fitting, and Geoffrey would always do his duty.
